Process for preparation of aldehydes

ABSTRACT

An improved hydroformylation process for preparing aldehydes by reacting olefins with synthesis gas (H 2  and CO) under heating and pressure is disclosed. The hydroformylation is carried out in the presence of a platinum catalyst, and assitant composed of a halide of a metal of the group IVb of the Periodic Table and a reaction promotor composed of a specific bidentate ligand of the formula R 2  X--Z--Y--Z--X--R&#39; 2 . In this reaction, the platinum catalyst exerts a high activity, and an aldehyde mixture containing a linear isomer at a very high ratio of content is obtained as a product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for preparing aldehydes by hydroformylation of olefins.

More particularly, the invention relates to a process for catalytically hydroformylating olefins such as propylene and 1-pentene with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a complex comprising platinum and a bidantate ligand to synthesize selectively corresponding aldehydes such as butylaldehyde and hexylaldehyde.

Hydroformylation reaction of olefins with hydrogen and carbon monoxide has been known for a long time. As catalysts for this hydroformylation reaction, there have heretofore been used cobalt-carbonyl complexes (catalysts of the first group) such as dicobalt octacarbonyl, tetracarbonyl cobalt hydride and organic phosphine-substituted cobalt carbonyl, rhodium-carbonyl complexes (catalysts of the second group) such as Rh₄ (CO)₁₂, RhCl(CO) (PPh₃)₂ and HRh(CO) (PPh₃)₃ and platinum-phosphine complex-tin chloride catalysts (catalysts of the third group).

Catalysts of the first group are relatively low in the catalytic activity, and therefore, they cannot be used unless the temperature is elevated to a considerably high level. It is known that catalysts of the second group have a relatively high activity, but they are defective in that, in the reaction of olefins such as 1-pentene as the starting substance, the linear isomer/branched isomer ratio in the reaction product is low. Accordingly, in order to obtain a linear isomer which is industrially important, it is necessary to have a large amount of a phosphine ligand present in the reaction system. Catalysts of the third group show only an intermediate activity between those of the above-mentioned rhodium and cobalt catalysts, and when a bidantate ligand such as Ph₂ P(CH₂)₂ PPh₂ is employed, the aldehyde-forming activity is drastically lowered.

We conducted research with a view directed to developing a catalyst having a higher activity for hydroformylation of olefins than conventional rhodium catalysts and being capable of providing a product having a higher linear isomer/branched isomer ratio. As a result, to our great surprise, it was found that when among bidantate ligands which have been considered unsuitable as promotors for platinum catalysts, a specific ligand is selected and used in combination with a platinum catalyst, the activity of the platinum catalyst is substantially enhanced over the activity of a rhodium carbonyl complex such as RhCl(CO) (PPh₃)₂ or HRh(CO) (PPh₃)₃ and an aldehyde mixture containing a linear isomer at a very high content ratio can be obtained as the reaction product. Based on this finding, we have now completed the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of aldehydes in which the activity of a catalyst used is very high and, hence, a high conversion can be attained, and in which an aldehyde mixture having a higher linear isomer/branched isomer ratio can be obtained as the reaction product.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects can be attained by a process for the preparation of aldehydes by hydroformylation of olefins, which comprises reacting an olefin with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a platinum catalyst and an assistant catalyst, wherein a halide of a metal selected from elements of the group IVb of the Periodic Table is used as the assistant catalyst and a bidentate ligand represented by the following general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2

wherein R and R', which may be the same or different, stand for a group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and aralkyl groups, X is an element selected from phosphorus, arsenic and antimony, Y stands for a group selected from the group consisting of alkylene, arylene and aralkylene groups, with the proviso that the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain of --Z--Y--Z-- inclusive of Y is 3 to 5, and Z is a member selected from the group consisting of a methylene group and an oxygen atom, is made present in the reaction system as a reaction promotor.

This hydroformylation reaction may be carried out by the use of a solvent or without the use of a solvent.

According to the process of the present invention, a reaction product containing a linear aldehyde in a much larger amount can be prepared from a compound having a terminal vinyl group in a much shorter time than according to methods using any known hydroformylation catalysts, if reaction is carried out under the same reaction conditions. Therefore, the process of the present invention is industrially very significant and makes great contribution to industries of plastics, surfactants, synthetic fibers, perfumes, medicines and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing shows results of experiments of hydroformylation conducted by the use of various reaction promotors and catalysts, where the relation between the kind of the 1-olefin used and the content of the linear isomer in the formed aldehydes (linearity of aldehydes produced) is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As the olefins and/or ethylenically unsaturated compounds that are used in the process of the present invention, there can be mentioned, for example, alkenes such as 1-alkenes, alkadienes and derivatives thereof, alkyl alkenoates such as acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters, alkenyl alkylates such as vinyl esters and allyl esters of fatty acids, alkenyl alkyl ethers such as alkyl vinyl ethers, and alkenols such as allyl alcohol.

As specific examples of such olefins and/or ethylenically unsaturated compounds, there can be mentioned, ehtylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-dodecene, 2-ethyl-1-hexene, 1-vinyl-3-cyclohexene, styrene, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, allyl ecetate, vinyl methyl ether, allyl alcohol and the like.

Among the foregoing olefins, alkenes are effectively used, and alkenes having 2 to 20 carbon atoms are especially preferred.

In the present invention, it is prefered to use a platinum catalyst in the form of a platinum-bidentate ligand complex prepared in advance, for example, Pt[Ph₂ P(CH₂)₄ PPh₂ ]Cl₂. However, the platinum catalyst that is used in the present invention is not limited to such complex, but any platinum compound capable of reacting with a bidentate ligand to form a platinum-carbonyl complex in the hydroformylation can be used as a catalyst precursor. As the catalyst precursor, there can be mentioned, for example, organic platinum complexes and inorganic platinum salts such as Pt(PhCN)₂ Cl₂, K₂ PtCl₄, Pt(PPh₃)₂ Cl₂, Pt(COD)Cl₂ in which COD stands for 1,5-cyclooctadiene and PtCl₂.

In the process of the present invention, a halide of a metal of the group IVb of the Periodic Table is used as the assistant. Tin and germanium are preferred metals, and the halogen includes chlorine, bromine and iodine. A chloride or bromide is preferred as the halide.

As specific exmples of the assistant, there can be mentioned SnCl₂, GeCl₂, PbCl₂, CeGeCl₃, SnBr₂ and SnI₂. These halides may include water of crystallization.

The reaction promotor for use in the reaction system together with the catalyst and assistant catalyst, has the following general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2.

R and R' are selected from alkyl grups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and hexyl groups, cycloalkyl groups such as cyclohexyl and methylcyclohexyl groups, aryl groups such as phenyl and tolyl groups, and aralkyl groups such as benzyl and phenetyl groups. R and R' may be the same or different. It is especially preferred that R and R' are aryl groups having 6 to 8 carbon atoms.

X stands for phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, and phosphorus is most preferred as the X.

Y is selected from alkylene, arylene and aralkylene, and these groups have preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms. When Y is an alkylene group, a methylene chain of the formula --(CH₂)_(n) -- in which n is a number of from 1 to 3 is preferred. Y may be an aromatic ring comprising preferably 1 or 2 aromatic nuclei. Preferably, Y may be an alicyclic member comprising 3 to 6 membered ring.

When Y is such aromatic ring, two Z's are bonded to the aromatic ring ortho positions to each other, and when Y is such alicyclic ring, two Z's are bonded to carbon atoms of adjacent positions in the alicyclic ring.

As is apparent from the above general formula, it is one of the most important things in the invention that Y is bonded to two Z's in the form of --Z--Y--Z, and the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain thereof is from 3 to 5. As specific examples of Y, there can be mentioned alkylene groups such as methylene, ethylene, propylene, cyclopropylene, cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, norbornylene and bicyclo[2,2,2]octylene groups, arylene groups such as phenylene and naphthylene groups, and aralkylene groups such as a benzocyclobutylene group. An alicyclic or arylic group is especially preferred. These groups as Y may be substituted with an inert group such as alkyl, aryl or ester group.

When Y is an alicyclic group, the bidentate ligand includes cis-type and trans-type steric isomers. In the present invention, both isomers can be used, but the trans-type isomer is preferred. Z is a methylene group or an oxygen atom.

Preferred examples of the bidentate ligand to be used in the present invention are 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane[Ph₂ P(CH₂)₃ PPh₂ ], 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane [Ph₂ P(CH₂)₄ PPh₂ ], 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane[Ph₂ P(CH₂)₅ PPh₂ ], 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclopropane, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclobutane (hereinafter referred to as "PMCB") represented by the following formula: ##STR1## 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinoxy)cyclopentane (hereinafter referred to as "POCP") represented by the following formula: ##STR2## 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclophentane (hereinafter referred to as "PMCP") represented by the following formula: ##STR3## 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)norbornane (hereinafter referred to as "PMNB") represented by the following formula: ##STR4## 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)bicyclo[2,2,2]octane represented by the following formula: ##STR5## 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)cyclohexane (hereinafter referred to as "PMCH") represented by the following formula: ##STR6## 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphinoxy)cyclohexane represented by the following formula: ##STR7## 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzene (hereinafter referred to as "PMB") represented by the following formula: ##STR8## 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinoxy)benzene represented by the following formula: ##STR9## 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)naphthalene represented by the following formula: ##STR10## 1,2-bis(diphenylarsinometyl)cyclobutane, 1,2-bis(diphenylarsinomethyl)cyclopentane (hereinafter referred to as "AMCP") represented by the following formula: ##STR11## and antimony analogues thereof. However, bidentate ligands that can be used in the present invention are not limited to those exemplified above.

Reaction promotors that are especially preferably used in the present invention are PMCB, PMCP, POCP, PMNB and substituted derivatives thereof.

In practising the process of the present invention, a platinum catalyst and a bidentate ligand or a complex of both and an olefin are charged in a pressure vessel and the olefin is reacted with a compressed mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas). A solvent need not be used for this reaction, but the reaction may be carried out in a solvent. As the solvent, there can be used, for example, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons such as hexane and heptane, alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane and Decolin, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, ethers such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and chlorobanzene, ketones such as acetone and methylethyl ketone, and alcohols such as methanol and ethanol. When the process is carried out in industry and when the catalyst must be recycled and used repeatedly, it is preferred to use a high-boiling solvent capable of retaining the catalyst in the form of a solution after distillation of the product. The amount of the solvent used is not particularly critical. However, if the amount of the solvent is excessive, the reaction speed is reduced. Accordingly, it is preferred that the solvent is used in a minimum necessary amount. More specifically, it is ordinarily preferred that the volume of the solvent is less than 10 times the volume of the olefin, though the preferred amount of the solvent varies according to its kind.

In the present invention, the platinum catalyst is used in a small amount. The amount of the catalyst used is determined depending on the reaction conditions and the kind of the olefin. In general, however, the platinum catalyst is used in an amount of 1.0×10⁻⁵ to 1.0×10⁻³ mole as metallic platinum, per mole of the olefin.

The amount of the bidentate ligand to be made present in the reaction system together with the platinum catalyst is determined according to its coordination power and the reaction conditions. In general, the ligand is used in an amount of up to 10 moles, preferably 0.5 to 5 moles, per mole of platinum.

The halide of a metal of the group IVb of the Periodic Table as the assistant is used in an amount of up to 50 moles, preferably 0.5 to 20 moles, per mole of platinum.

In practising the process of the present invention, the carbon monoxide/hydrogen molar ratio in the mixed gas is adjusted to 0.1 to 10, preferably 0.5 to 3.0.

Each of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is consumed in an amount of 1 mole per mole of the olefin. The total pressure of the mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is adjusted to 5 to 500 Barr, preferably 50 to 200 Barr. As the reaction temperature is lower, the selectivity to aldehydes is higher, but from the viewpoint of the reaction speed, the reaction is preferably carried out at 40° to 200° C., especially 50° to 150° C.

According to the process of the present invention, there can be obtained various aldehydes such as propyl aldehyde, n-butylaldehyde, n-pentyl aldehyde, n-hexyl aldehyde, n-octyl aldehyde, 3-(3-cyclohexenyl)propionaldehyde, 2-phenylpropyl aldehyde, 3-phenylpropyl aldehyde, methyl 3-formylpropionate, methyl 3-formyl-2-methylpropionate, 3-acetoxypropyl aldehyde, 3-methoxypropyl aldehyde and 3-hydroxybutylaldehyde. These aldehydes may be used as final products or industrial raw materials as they are or after they have been converted to alcohols or acids by hydrogenation or oxidation.

The present invention will now be described by reference to the following Examples that by no means limit the scope of the invention. When results of these Examples are compared with results of Comparative Examples illustrating reactions using conventional unidentate ligand catalysts and rhodium catalysts, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be apparent.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1 TO 7

A stainless steel pressure-resistant reaction tube having an inner capacity of 50 ml was charged with 25 mg of Pt(PPh₃)₂ Cl₂ and 36.1 mg (1.6×10⁻⁴ mole) of stannous chloride (SnCl₂.2H₂ O), and the inner atmosphere was replaced by nitrogen and 6 ml of ethylbenzene was introduced as a solvent. Further, 3 ml (3.2×10⁻² mole) of 1-butene was added to the charge and a 1:1 mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen was compressed up to under 100 atmospheres at 0° C. (P_(CO) =P_(H).sbsb.2 =50 atmospheres). The reaction vessel was dipped in an oil bath maintained at 100° C. and agitation was started. When this state was kept for 10 hours, reduction of the pressure on a pressure gauge was stopped. The reaction speed was determined by plotting the pressure in the reaction vessel as a function of the time. On completion of the reaction, the reaction vessel and the content were cooled, and the reaction product solution was anylyzed by gas chromatography to obtain results shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    Ligand    Reaction  Yield (%)                                                                            Content (%) of                        Comparative    (amount used,                                                                            Time Relative                                                                            of    Linear Isomer                         Example Nos.                                                                          Catalysts.sup.a                                                                        mole)     (hours)                                                                             Rate.sup.b                                                                          Aldehydes                                                                            in Aldehydes                          __________________________________________________________________________     1.     Pt(PPh.sub.3).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                              --     10.5 96   38.8  80                                    2.     Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                PPh.sub.3  7.0 100  56.1  80                                                   (6.4 × 10.sup.-5)                                         3.     "       Ph.sub.2 PCh.sub.2 PPh.sub.2                                                             24.0.sup.c                                                                           4    2.4  79                                                   (3.2 × 10.sup.-5)                                         4.     "       Ph.sub.2 PCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 PPh.sub.2                                                    24.0.sup.c                                                                          13   36.2  80                                                   (3.2 × 10.sup.-5)                                         5.     "       Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.6 PPh.sub.2                                                     24.0 45   28.9  83                                                   (3.2 × 10.sup.-5)                                         6.     "       Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.10 PPh.sub.2                                                    24.0 50   39.4  91                                                   (3.2 × 10.sup.-5)                                         7.     RhCl(PPh.sub.3).sub.3                                                                     --      5.0 168  95.0  66                                    __________________________________________________________________________      Notes                                                                           .sup.a The amount used was 3.2 × 10.sup.-5 mole.                        .sup.b The relative rate was calculated based on the assumption that the       gradient of the curve of the reaction time vs. the pressure reduction in       Comparative Example 2 was 100.                                                 .sup.c The reaction was stopped after passage of 24 hours even if the          pressure reduction was not completed.                                    

From the foregoing results of comparative experiments to confirm the effects of the conventional techniques, the following can be seen.

Results of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 illustrate that whether the Pt(PPh₃)₂ Cl₂ complex is used as the platinum catalyst or Pt(PhCN)₂ Cl₂ and PPh₃ in an amount of 2 moles per atom of platinum are mixed in the reaction vessel, the obtained results are not substantially different. From the results of Comparative Example 4, it is seen that when 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane which is readily chelated and is often used as a bidentate ligand is employed, the reaction is remarkably inhibited as compared with the case where PPh₃ is employed. Results of Comparative Examples 5 and 6 illustrate that also bidentate ligands which are unable to chelate reduce the reduction speed. Results of Comparative Example 7 demonstrate that RhCl(PPh₃)₃ which is known to have a high activity for hydroformylation enhances the reaction speed but the content of the linear isomer in the aldehyde produced is lower than that attained when Pt(PPh₃)₂ Cl₂ is used.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 6

According to the procedure described in Comparative Example 1, hydroformylation was carried out under conditions shown in Table 2 to obtain resulsts shown in Table 2.

When the bidentate ligand R₂ X--Z--Y--Z--XR₂ where R is Ph, X is P, Z is CH₂ and Y is (CH₂)_(n-2), namely Ph₂ P(CH₂)_(n) PPh₂, is employed, if n is 3,4 or 5, the reaction speed is much higher than the reaction speed attained when PPh₃ is used, and the reaction speed is especially high if n is 4. In the case where n is 4, if the methylene groups constitute a part of a cyclic structure as in Examples 4, 5 or 6, especially in Examples 4 and 5, the reaction speed is 18 to 19 times as high as the reaction speed attained by the ligand PPh₃ in Comparative Example 2, and in this case, the linear isomer/branched isomer ratio increased from 95/5 to 80/20.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________                              Reaction  Yield (%)                                                                             Content (%) of                       Example                  Time Relative                                                                            of     Linear Isomer in                     Nos..sup.(a)                                                                           Catalysts                                                                              Ligand   (hour)                                                                              Rate.sup.(c)                                                                        Aldehydes                                                                             Aldehydes                            __________________________________________________________________________     1.      Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.3 PPh.sub.2                                                    4.0   220 57.0   65                                   2.      "       Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.4 PPh.sub.2                                                    4.0   275 83.9   85                                   3.      "       Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.5 PPh.sub.2                                                    5.0   125 60.7   89                                   4.      "       PMCB.sup.(b)                                                                            1.0  1820 69.2   95                                   5.      Pt(PMCB).sub.2 Cl.sub.2.sup.(b)                                                        --       1.0  1910 73.5   95                                   6.      Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                PMCP.sup.(b)                                                                            1.5  1380 70.0   90                                   __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         .sup.(a) The reaction was carried out under conditions described below.        1butene: 3.2 × 10.sup.-2 mole                                            catalyst: 3.2 × 10.sup.-5 mole                                           SnCl.sub.2 . 2H.sub. 2 O: 1.6 × 10.sup.-4 mole                           ethylbenzene: 6 ml                                                             reaction temperature: 100° C.                                           P.sub.CO = P.sub.H.sbsb.2 = 50 atmospheres                                     .sup.(b) The transisomer was used. PMCB and PMCP are hereinbefore              mentioned.                                                                     .sup.(c) See Table 1.                                                    

EXAMPLES 7 TO 10 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 8 AND 9

In order to clarify the influence of the size of the ring on the rate and selectivity of the reaction, when Y of the bidentate ligand R₂ X--Z--Y--Z--XR'₂ has a cyclic structure, the hydroformylation of 1-pentene as the olefin was carried out according to the present invention. Reaction conditions and results obtained are described below.

Hydrogen and carbon monoxide were introduced under pressure into an autoclave charged with the catalyst, bidentate ligand, stannous chloride and benzene. The partial pressure of each of hydrogen and carbon monoxide was 50 atmospheres. The pre-treatment was conducted at 100° C. for 3 hours, and a predetermined amount of 1-pentene was charged into the autoclave and predetermined amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide were recharged to effect reaction. Results obtained are shown in Table 3.

From comparing results of Examples 8, 9 and 10 shown in Table 3, it will readily be understood that as the size of the ring Y is diminished, the reaction speed is remarkably increased and also the linear isomer/branched isomer ratio in the formed aldehydes is increased.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________                       Ligand          Reaction                                     Example                    Amount Used                                                                           Time Conversion                                                                           Relative                          Nos..sup.(a)                                                                           Catalyst.sup.(b)                                                                         Kind     (mole) (hour)                                                                              (%)   Rate.sup.(d)                      __________________________________________________________________________     7.      Pt(PhCN.sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                   Ph.sub.2 P(CH.sub.2).sub.4 PPh.sub.2                                                    3.2 × 10.sup.-5                                                                 1.5  100   400                               8.      "         PMCH.sup.(c)                                                                            3.2 × 10.sup.-5                                                                 2.0  100   340                               9.      "         PMCP.sup.(c)                                                                            3.2 × 10.sup.-5                                                                 1    100   720                               10.     "         PMCB.sup.(c)                                                                            3.2 × 10.sup.-5                                                                 0.5  100   1090                              Comparative                                                                    Example No. 8                                                                          Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                  PPh.sub.3                                                                               6.4 × 10.sup.-5                                                                 5     87   100                               Comparative                                                                    Example No. 9                                                                          PhCl(CO)(PPh.sub.3).sub.2                                                                  --     --     5    100   110                               __________________________________________________________________________             Yields (%)                                                                     Hydrogenation                                                                            Isomerization   Content (%) of                               Example Product   Product         Linear Isomer                                                                          Polymer                              Nos..sup.(a)                                                                           (n-pentane)                                                                              (2-pentene)                                                                             Aldehydes                                                                             in Aldehydes                                                                           Content (%)                          __________________________________________________________________________     7.      12.6      13.9     74.8   92      0                                    8.      10.0      12.7     68.6   92      6.8                                  9.      7.4       10.1     75.0   96      7.8                                  10.     6.7       16.5     76.9   99      0                                    Comparative                                                                    Example No. 8                                                                          3.6       8.6      65.8   91      22.0                                 Comparative                                                                    Example No. 9                                                                          0         2.2      97.8   62      0                                    __________________________________________________________________________      Notes                                                                          .sup.(a) The reaction was carried out under the following conditions:          1pentene: 3 ml                                                                 SnCl.sub.2 . 2H.sub.2 O: [Pt]/[Sn] = 1/5                                       benzene (solvent): 18 ml                                                       reaction temperature: 100° C.                                           .sup.(b) The catalyst was used in an amount of 3.2 × 10.sup.-5 mole      .sup.(c) The transisomer was used. PMCH,PMCP and PMCB are hereinbefore         mentioned.                                                                     .sup.(d) The relative rate was calculated based on the assumption that th      gradient of the curve of the reaction time and the pressure reduction in       Comparative Example 8 was 100.                                           

EXAMPLES 11 TO 19 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 10 AND 11

The reaction was carried out in the same manner as in Examples 8, 9 and 10 while changing the catalyst concentration. In Examples 8, 9 and 10 showin in Table 3, the reaction rate was so high that the reaction was substantially completed before the temperature in the reaction vessel reached 100° C. Therefore, the reaction was carried out while reducing the catalyst concentration to 1/10. Obtained results are shown in Table 4.

From comparison of results of Examples 12 and 13, it will readily be understood that even if Z in the ligand is changed to oxygen atom from the methylene group, the reaction rate is not substantially changed. From comparison of results of Examples 14, 15 and 16 where Y has a 6-membered ring structure, it will readily be understood that the results obtained are slightly better when two Z groups bonded to Y are located at the trans-positions, than results obtained when Z groups are bonded to Y at the cis-positions, but in each case, the results are inferior to results obtained when two Z groups are situated on the plane. It will readily be seen that in each of these Examples 14, 15 and 16, the reaction rate is higher than that by use of PPh₃. Further, from comparison of results of Examples 14 and 18, it will be apparent that even if Y has a 6-membered ring structure, a remarkably high reaction rate is obtainable if the rigidity of the 6-membered ring is increased by intracircular crosslinkage.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________                        Ligand      Reaction                                                                            Reaction                                                           Amount Used                                                                           Tempera-                                                                            Time Conversion                                                                           Relative                        Example Nos.                                                                           Catalyst   Kind (mole) ture (°C.)                                                                   (hour)                                                                              (%)   Rate.sup.(d)                    __________________________________________________________________________     11.     Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2.sup.(f)                                                           PMCB.sup.(a)                                                                        3.2 × 10.sup.-6                                                                 100   3.sup.(c)                                                                          100   3100                            12.     "          POCP.sup.(a)                                                                        "      100   5.5 100   1800                            13.     "          PMCP.sup.(a)                                                                        "      100   5   100   1500                            14.     "          PMCH.sup.(a)                                                                        "      100  18   100    600                            15.     "          PMCH.sup.(b)                                                                        "      100  19   100    400                            16.     "          PMB  "      100  10   44.5   800                            17.     "          PMCB.sup.(e)                                                                        "      100   9   100   1070                            18.     "          PMNB.sup.(a)                                                                        "      100   2.5 100   2780                            19.     Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2.sup.(g)                                                           PMCB.sup.(a)                                                                        3.2 × 10.sup.-5                                                                  70   2.sup.(c)                                                                          100   4000                            Comparative                                                                    Example No. 10                                                                         Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2.sup.(f)                                                           PPh.sub.3                                                                           6.4 × 10.sup.-6                                                                 100  24   3.8    100                            Comparative                                                                    Example No. 11                                                                         HRh(CO)(PPh.sub. 3).sub.3.sup.(g)                                                         --   --      70   5   100   1200                            __________________________________________________________________________              Yields (%)                                                                     Hydrogenation                                                                           Isomerization    Content (%) of                                       Product  Product          Linear Isomer                                                                            Polymer                           Example Nos.                                                                            (n-pentane)                                                                             (2-pentene)                                                                             Aldehydes                                                                              in Aldehydes                                                                             Content (%)                       __________________________________________________________________________     11.      6.4      13.4     79.0    98        0.2                               12.      11.4     26.1     62.0    93        0.5                               13.      7.8      12.3     75.7    96        1.8                               14.      13.4     10.5     76.6    89        0                                 15.      8.1      19.9     72.0    90        0                                 16.      9.5      20.7     65.3    91        0                                 17.      8.2      19.5     72.3    98        0                                 18.      8.5      18.6     72.9    99        0                                 19.      3.5      7.6      88.6    99        0.3                               Comparative                                                                    Example No. 10                                                                          0.3      0.5      3.0     92        0.0                               Comparative                                                                    Example No. 11                                                                          0.0      1.1      98.9    70        0                                 __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         .sup.(a) The transisomer was used.                                             .sup.(b) The cisisomer was used.                                               .sup.(c) When the catalyst concentration is low, there is sometimes            present an induction period prior to initiation of reaction. Accordingly,      there is no close corelation between the reaction time and the reaction        speed.                                                                         .sup.(d) The relative rate was calculated based on the assumption that th      reaction speed in Comparative Example 10 was 100. The reaction speed is        substantially proportional in the first order to the catalyst                  concentration.                                                                 .sup.(e) Solvent was not used.                                                 .sup.(f) The catalyst was used in an amount of 3.2 × 10.sup.-6 mole      .sup.(g) The catalyst was used in an amount of 3.2 × 10.sup.-5 mole      The abbreviations such as PMCB etc. are hereinbefore mentioned.          

In Examples shown in Table 3, unknown substances considered to be polymers of formed aldehydes were detected. In Examples 11 to 18 where the catalyst concentration was reduced, such substances were hardly formed. Example 19 and Comparative Example 11 were carried out at a relatively low temperature. From the results of these Examples, it is seen that, when the catalyst system of the present invention is used, occurrence of hydrogenation or isomerization is slightly more conspicuous than in the case of the conventional rhodium catalyst system but the linear isomer/branched isomer ratio is much higher than in the case of the conventional rhodium catalyst system. More specifically, the yield of the linear aldehyde obtained in Comparative Example 11 is 69.7% based on the starting olefin (=98.9×0.7). On the other hand, in Example 19, the yield of the linear aldehyde is 87.7% (=88.6×0.99). Further, the reaction speed in Example 19 is 3.2 times as high as the reaction speed in Comparative Example 11. Accordingly, it is apparent that the present invention is excellent over the conventional technique using a rhodium catalyst.

EXAMPLE 20

According to the procedure described in Examples 11 to 18, hydroformylation of propylene, 1-butene and 1-pentene was carried out at 100° C. by use of a bidentate ligand having a ring structure and the selectivity to the linear aldehyde was examined. For comparison, an experiment was similarly conducted by the use of HRh(CO) (PPh₃)₃ as the catalyst. Results obtained are shown in the accompanying drawing, where line A shows results obtained when the following compound was used as the trans-substituted cyclic bidentate ligand in addition to the platinum catalyst: ##STR12## curve B shows results obtained by the following cyclic ligand: ##STR13## curve C shows the results obtained by the following cyclic ligand: ##STR14## and line D shows the results obtained by using HRh(CO) (PPh₃)₃ as the catalyst.

From these results, the following can be seen.

The platinum catalyst system of the present invention provides a little larger amount of the isomerization product than the known rhodium complex catalyst. However, in case of propylene, which is industrially most important as the starting material of hydroformylation, isomerization does not cause any trouble or problem. Accordingly, the catalyst system of the present invention is superior to the conventional rhodium complex catalyst in that the reaction speed is high and selective formation of linear aldehydes is extremely high.

EXAMPLES 21 to 26

Hydroformylation was carried out according to procedures of Examples 7 to 10 while changing broadly the kinds of the catalyst, assistant catalyst and bidentate ligand. Some of these experiments are reported as Examples 21 to 26 which are reported in Table 5.

From the results shown in Table 5, it will readily be understood that all the ligands included in the scope of the present invention can give a reaction speed higher than that attained by PPh₃, though the degree of elevation of the reaction rate is varied to some extent according to the kind of the ligand.

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                Reaction                                                                       Time Conversion                                                                           Relative                                 Example Nos.                                                                          Catalyst.sup.(a)                                                                       Assistant.sup.(b)                                                                     Ligand.sup.(c)                                                                      (hour)                                                                              (%)   Rate.sup.(d)                             __________________________________________________________________________     21.    Pt(PhCN).sub.2 Cl.sub.2                                                                SnCl.sub.2 . 2H.sub.2 O                                                               AMCP 1.0  100   545                                      22.    "       SnCl.sub.2                                                                            PMCP 0.5  100   890                                      23.    "       CsGeCl.sub.3                                                                          PMCP 3.0  100   224                                       24..sup.(e)                                                                          "       SnCl.sub.2 . 2H.sub.2 O                                                               PMCP 1.0  100   914                                      25.    "       SnBr.sub.2                                                                            PMCP 1.0  100   620                                      26.    Pt(COD)Cl.sub.2.sup.(f)                                                                SnCl.sub.2 . 2H.sub.2 O                                                               PMCP 1.0  100   1030                                     __________________________________________________________________________            Yields (%)           Content                                                   Hydrogenation                                                                          Isomeriation  (%) of Lin-                                              Product Product      ear Isomer                                                                            Polymer                                     Example Nos.                                                                          (n-pentane)                                                                            (2-pentene)                                                                           Aldehydes                                                                            in Aldehydes                                                                          Content (%)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     21.    11.5    4.0    45.5  86     39.0                                        22.    8.0     14.7   77.9  96     0                                           23.    22.5    3.0    74.5  96     0                                           24.    10.4    21.2   68.4  90     0                                           25.    9.8     24.7   54.4  96     10.8                                        26.    10.4    13.7   74.9  95     0                                           __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         .sup.(a) The catalyst was used in an amount of 3.2 × 10.sup.-5 mole      .sup.(b) The assistant was used in amount of 1.6 × 10.sup.-4 mole.       .sup.(c) Each of the ligands used was a transisomer. The abbreviations         like AMCP etc. are hereinbefore mentioned.                                     .sup.(d) The relative rate was calculated based on the assumption that th      reaction speed attained by the use of PPh.sub.3 (Comparative Example 8 in      Table 3) was 100.                                                              .sup.(e) Methylene chloride was used as the solvent.                           .sup.(f) COD represents 1,5cyclooctadiene.                                

What we claim is:
 1. A process for preparing an aldehyde having 3-21 carbon atoms by hydroformylating an olefin having 2-20 carbon atoms, said process comprising contacting said olefin at 40°-200° C. with an amount of an admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide effective for forming said aldehyde and under a pressure effective for forming said aldehyde, the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide being 0.1 to 10, in the presence of (1) a platinum catalyst, (2) an assistant catalyst selected from the group consisting of halides of metals selected from Group IVb of the periodic table, and (3) a bidentate ligand, said catalyst, said assistant catalyst and said bidentate ligand being present in amounts effective for forming said aldehyde, said bidentate ligand having the general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2

wherein: (a) R and R', which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of (i) an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, (ii) a cycloalkyl group having 6-7 carbon atoms, (iii) an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, and (iv) an aralkyl group having 7-8 carbon atoms; (b) X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; (c) Y is an alkylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms, a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, or an alicyclic group having a 3- to 6-membered ring, with the proviso that the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain of --Z--Y--Z-- inclusive of Y is 3 to 5; and (d) Z is a methylene group or oxygen.
 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the element of the group IVb of the Periodic Table is tin.
 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the element of the group IVb of the Periodic Table is germanium.
 4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the halide is a chloride.
 5. A process according to claim 4 wherein the chloride is a member selected from the group consisting of SnCl₂, GeCl₂ and CeGeCl₃.
 6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the halide is a bromide.
 7. A process according to claim 1 wherein X is phosphorus.
 8. A process according to claim 1 wherein Y has 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
 9. A process according to claim 1 wherein Y stands for an alkylene group consisting of a methylene chain having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
 10. A process according to claim 1 wherein Y stands for an alicyclic group having a 3- to 6-membered ring and two Z's are bonded to the carbon atoms of adjacent positions in the alicyclic group.
 11. A process according to claim 1 wherein Y stands for a phenylene group or a naphthalene group, and the two Z's are bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of said group.
 12. A process according to claim 1 wherein the hydroformylation is carried out under a pressure of 5 to 500 Barr.
 13. A process according to claim 1 wherein the hydroformylation is carried out in an organic solvent.
 14. A process according to claim 13 wherein the organic solvent is an aromatic hydrocarbon.
 15. A process according to claim 1 wherein the hydroformylation is carried out in the absence of a solvent.
 16. The process according to claim 1 in which Y is phenylene.
 17. The process according to either of claims 1 or in which the olefin and the admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide are contacted at 50°-150° C.
 18. The process of claim 1 in which Y is an alkylene group having 2-3 carbon atoms.
 19. A process for preparing an aldehyde having 3-21 carbon atoms by hydroformylating an olefin having 2-20 carbon atoms, said process comprising contacting said olefin at 40°-200° C. with an amount of an admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide effective for forming said aldehyde and under a pressure of 5-500 Barr, the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide being 0.1 to 10 in the presence of (1) at least 1×10⁻⁵ mole of a platinum catalyst, calculated as metallic platinum, per mole of said olefin, (2) 0.5-50 moles of an assistant catalyst per mole of said platinum catalyst, calculated as metallic platinum, the assistant catalyst being selected from the group consisting of halides of metals of Group IVb of the periodic table, and (3) 0.5 to 10 moles of a bidentate ligand per mole of said platinum catalyst, calculated as metallic platinum, said bidentate ligand having the general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2

wherein: (a) R and R', which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of (i) an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, (ii) a cycloalkyl group having 6-7 carbon atoms, (iii) an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, and (iv) an aralkyl group having 7-8 carbon atoms; (b) X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; (c) Y is an alkylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms, a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, or an alicyclic group having a 3- to 6-membered ring in which the two Z's are bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the alicyclic ring, with the proviso that the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain of --Z--Y--Z-- inclusive of Y is 3 to 5; and (d) Z is a methylene group or oxygen.
 20. A process for preparing an aldehyde having 3-21 carbon atoms by hydroformylating an olefin having 2-20 carbon atoms, said process comprising contacting said olefin at 40°-200° C. with an amount of an admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide effective for forming said aldehyde and under a pressure effective for forming said aldehyde, the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide being 0.1 to 10, in the presence of: (1) a platinum catalyst, (2) an assistant catalyst selected from the group consisting of halides of metals selected from Group IVb of the periodic table, and (3) a bidentate ligand, said catalyst, said assistant catalyst and said bidentate ligand being present in amounts effective for forming said aldehyde, said bidentate ligand having the general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2

wherein: (a) R and R', which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of (i) an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, (ii) a cycloalkyl group having 6-7 carbon atoms, (iii) an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, and (iv) an aralkyl group having 7-8 carbon atoms; (b) X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; (c) Y is cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, or norbornylene, with the proviso that the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain of --Z--Y--Z-- inclusive of Y is 3 to 5; and (d) Z is a methylene group or oxygen.
 21. A process for preparing an aldehyde having 3-21 carbon atoms by hydroformylating an ethylenically unsaturated compound having 2 to 20 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of an alkene, an alkyl alkenoate, an alkenyl alkylate, an alkenyl alkyl ether and an alkenol, said process comprising contacting said ethylenically unsaturated compound at 40°-200° C. with an amount of an admixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide effective for forming said aldehyde and under a pressure effective for forming said aldehyde, the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide being 0.1 to 10, in the presence of: (1) a platinum catalyst, (2) an assistant catalyst selected from the group consisting of halides of metals selected from Group IVb of the periodic table, (3) a bidentate ligand, said catalyst, said assistant catalyst and said bidentate ligand being present in amounts effective for forming said aldehyde, said bidentate ligand having the general formula:

    R.sub.2 X--Z--Y--Z--XR'.sub.2

wherein: (a) R and R', which may be the same or different, are selected from the group consisting of (i) an alkyl group having 1-12 carbon atoms, (ii) a cycloalkyl group having 6-7 carbon atoms, (iii) an aryl group having 6-10 carbon atoms, and (iv) an aralkyl group having 7-8 carbon atoms; (b) X is phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; (c) Y is an alkylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms, a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, or an alicyclic group having a 3- to 6-membered ring in which the two Z's are bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the alicyclic ring, with the proviso that the number of atoms constructing the shortest linkage chain of --Z--Y--Z-- inclusive of Y is 3 to 5; and (d) Z is a methylene group or oxygen.
 22. The process of claim 21 in which the ethylenically unsaturated compound is ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-dodecene, 2-ethyl-1-hexene, 1-vinyl-3-cyclohexane, styrene, methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate allyl acetate, vinyl methyl ether or allyl alcohol. 